Human remains have been found near a golf course by detectives investigating the mistaken kidnapping of grandfather Chris Baghsarian.
The 85-year-old was kidnapped from his northwest Sydney property early on February 13 when three men stormed the home and bundled him into an SUV.
Police repeatedly told the kidnappers they had taken the wrong person and publicly urged them to release the elderly man, who relied on daily medication.
Searches in recent days focused on semi-rural areas on Sydney's northern outskirts after a car linked to the kidnapping was seen in the area.
About 8am on Tuesday, detectives found what are believed to be human remains near a golf club in Pitt Town.
Aerial footage showed a crime scene established by investigators from Strike Force Chobat amid overgrown grass and dirt roads on the north-western fringes of Sydney.
The historic township is about 30 minutes by road from Dural, where investigators on Friday located the kidnappers' makeshift stronghold in a vacant, derelict house back from street view.
Media reports have indicated the intended target for the abduction were relatives of an underworld-linked Sydney businessman, who lived on the same street as the elderly man in North Ryde.
Police on Sunday appealed for information on two suspicious vehicle fires linked to the case late on February 16 in Westmead, 15km from the kidnap scene.
There were "forensic links" left behind in one burnt-out car that have been traced to Mr Baghsarian and another relevant property in Dural, investigators said.
No arrests have been made over the kidnapping of the widower, who had lived alone for about four years.
"This whole case has not been our normal kind of investigation in relation to kidnapping and a hostage," lead police investigator Andrew Marks told reporters earlier on Monday.
Mr Baghsarian’s family spoke publicly for the first time earlier in February, describing the kidnapping as a nightmare.
"Our family is living through a nightmare we never thought possible," they said in a brief statement.
Police will address the media about the circumstances of the discovery on Tuesday.
